Play Nice Random Chat Thread VII

[Val Keating]

Russia had bases in Cuba until 2002. They withdrew because they didnt want to keep spending the money on them.

So... yes?

It's adorable how you keep trying to defend and justify Russia's actions but then get offended when you learn you have a reputation on this forum as a Pro-Russian shill.

Offended? Lol. I’m not arrogant, or thin skinned enough to be offended by someone having a contrasting opinion to mine on something as complex as this.

However, I am lucky enough (kind of) that I work on my own 90% of the time, so when things capture my interest I go all in on audiobooks and podcasts about the situation and the history of the region.

 

[Chadwiko]

Interested to get some more educated views on the situation in Syria. My wife and her family are Alawi Muslims. Given Assad is also Alawi a lot of her family are quite upset. My wife mentioned that Assad had mosques and churches throughout the country? They are really concerned that family members in Syria are possibly going to be killed based purely on religious ties.

Short answer is that no one "knows" what the immediate future holds for Syria.

There's going to be a period of transition that will likely be quite chaotic.

Seems apparent (and obvious) that the wider world won't sit back and let ISIS take control of a full country, so I'm not overlyyy concerned about that.

Syria has always been at its strongest when it has been tolerant of different cultures and religions. Hopefully it can return to that soon.

 

[Val Keating]

The "gangsters" that held the only genuine free elections in Russia in the last 120~ years?

The "gangsters" that brought Russia closer to the rest of the world than ever before, with the highest levels of international cooperation and partnership that we had ever seen?

The "gangsters" that were in charge in Russia for the most peaceful and safe decade over the last century?

The "gangsters" that were the unquestionably best Russian leaders in terms of human rights for Russians that we had ever seen?

I think you're revealing your bias here a bit, Comrade...

And sure, Yeltsin and his party were far from perfect. There was definite corruption and abuse of power.

But compared to Putin?! It's not even close.

Under Putin's literal dictatorship, we have seen the rise of the uber-wealthy Russian oligarchy, horrible human rights abuses, tyrannical behaviour in Georgia, Chechnya, Ukraine... etc etc.

But sure...



Mate, it's hilarious that you're the one who throws out the "you refuse to look at anything from the opposing view" line. You literally and consistently justify and defend Russia's invasion of another country, to the point where you LITERALLY posted and agreed with a tweet saying that even if Russia NUKED Ukraine, you still wouldn't blame Putin.

Geez... get a mirror, mate.

Oh you don’t know about what happened when the Soviet union collapsed?

Yes Gangsters. Most weren’t even Russian.

 

[Chadwiko]

However, I am lucky enough (kind of) that I work on my own 90% of the time, so when things capture my interest I go all in on audiobooks and podcasts about the situation and the history of the region.

So would you say that you "do your own research"?.

 

[giantroo]

Interested to get some more educated views on the situation in Syria. My wife and her family are Alawi Muslims. Given Assad is also Alawi a lot of her family are quite upset. My wife mentioned that Assad had mosques and churches throughout the country? They are really concerned that family members in Syria are possibly going to be killed based purely on religious ties.

 

[Chadwiko]

Oh you don’t know about what happened when the Soviet union collapsed?

Suggest you actually read my post before you respond to it lol.

 

[Chadwiko]

Yeah it's a strange and surreal situation when a coalition of factions that we refer to as the "Syrian Rebels" contains Sunni extremists... yet they're saying all the right things and at least seem to be acting with maturity and moderation.

Bizarre times. Hopefully it's not a facade.

 

[Bojan KantKick]

Russia had bases in Cuba until 2002. They withdrew because they didnt want to keep spending the money on them.

So... yes?

It's adorable how you keep trying to defend and justify Russia's actions but then get offended when you learn you have a reputation on this forum as a Pro-Russian shill.

Nice try. Lourdes was a spy facility, not a military base...

I don't think anyone cares what your opinion of them is.

 

[giantroo]

43 Years!!!

https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/earth-took-43-revolutions-around-the-sun-for-him-to-see-the-light-in-syria-18241211

 

[Val Keating]

So would you say that you "do your own research"?.

No I listen to books written by historians and the like.

You probably just get you info from reddit

 

[Val Keating]

Yeah it's a strange and surreal situation when a coalition of factions that we refer to as the "Syrian Rebels" contains Sunni extremists... yet they're saying all the right things and at least seem to be acting with maturity and moderation.

Bizarre times. Hopefully it's not a facade.

Of course it’s a facade. Are you daft?

 

[Chadwiko]

No I listen to books written by historians and the like.

Joe Rogan isn't a historian, mate.

 

[Bojan KantKick]

So would you say that you "do your own research"?.

I'm not surprised that you are against learning about the history of something before commenting. Much easier to just repeat Washington talking points... gobble gobble.

 

[Chadwiko]

Of course it’s a facade. Are you daft?

We'll see.

Obviously it's a possibility which is why I acknowledged that.

Still, it's an undeniably good thing that Assad is gone and Russia is out of Syria.

 

[Chadwiko]

I'm not surprised that you are against learning about the history of something before commenting. Much easier to just repeat Washington talking points... gobble gobble.

This is absolutely hilarious coming from you.

 

[Val Keating]

The media glow up of Jawlani is insane. The man was literally chopping people’s heads off for fun a few years ago.

 

[giantroo]

Yeah it's a strange and surreal situation when a coalition of factions that we refer to as the "Syrian Rebels" contains Sunni extremists... yet they're saying all the right things and at least seem to be acting with maturity and moderation.

Bizarre times. Hopefully it's not a facade.

Agree. Cautious.

What's next for Turkey in Syria?

After Assad's fall, Turkey needs to help re-establishing public order and a transitional government that can secure the return of refugees

www.middleeasteye.net

They will need to take control of all of Syria, including the pockets of Daesh areas and SDF/PKK areas.

And it looks like it is in progress.

 

[ferball]

This argument is stupid.

Why aren't we drawing up lists of CEOs to shoot?

 

[Val Keating]

Joe Rogan isn't a historian, mate.

wat? Did he write a book about Ukraine that I’m unaware of?

 

[Chadwiko]

This argument is stupid.

Why aren't we drawing up lists of CEOs to shoot?

Because Elon would be #1 on every list, and Bojan and Val would probably find excuses for why Elon should be spared as he is such a protector of free speech!!1

 

[Chadwiko]

My god Caitlin Johnston is consistently wrong about basically everything hahahaha.

The only thing she is good at is tricking dumb people into thinking she is insightful and intelligent.




What were you saying about "media glow ups", Val Keating ?

 

[DesertRoo]

This argument is stupid.

Why aren't we drawing up lists of CEOs to shoot?

Libya comes to mind, much celebrating until people found out about the open air slave markets..

It’s always the day after the revolution that’s the issue, I really hope there’s plans from the rest of the world to reconstruct otherwise I shutter to think.

What’ll be interesting to see is the massive migration that’ll happen, it looks like the majority of it is headed Iraq, not up towards the EU, like Libya thou.

Interesting times

But you’re 100% right we need to fix our own backyard.

 

[Chadwiko]

Libya comes to mind, much celebrating until people found out about the open air slave markets..

It’s always the day after the revolution that’s the issue, I really hope there’s plans from the rest of the world to reconstruct otherwise I shutter to think.

What’ll be interesting to see is the massive migration that’ll happen, it looks like the majority of it is headed Iraq, not up towards the EU, like Libya thou.

Interesting times

Generally agree with most of what you wrote here, but just want to point out;

Syria is very likely/possibly going to be a unique situation where we see a regime toppled and it results in a net influx of migration. Lots of Syrian refugees around the world fled their home state and are living in new countries (including here in Australia, where I worked directly on the policy that resulted in Australia's 12,000 additional humanitarian intake of Syrian and Iraqi refugees in 2014/2015).

Lots of them would dearly love to return home to Syria once it's confirmed safe and free to do so.

 

[ferball]

Libya comes to mind, much celebrating until people found out about the open air slave markets..

It’s always the day after the revolution that’s the issue, I really hope there’s plans from the rest of the world to reconstruct otherwise I shutter to think.

What’ll be interesting to see is the massive migration that’ll happen, it looks like the majority of it is headed Iraq, not up towards the EU, like Libya thou.

Interesting times

But you’re 100% right we need to fix our own backyard.

People don't know how screwed we are.

I'm just gonna rip this quote from a video about why we actually need a revolution, talking about US private equity moving into running nursing homes and (in the UK) public rental housing.

This is the latest in late stage capitalism - it's the last scene of a zombie movie where the only thing left is a bunch of ravenous flesh eating corporations feasting on the final remains of our economy and everyone's too busy on their dang phones arguing about Syria, Ukraine and trans rights.

 

[DesertRoo]

Generally agree with most of what you wrote here, but just want to point out;

Syria is very likely/possibly going to be a unique situation where we see a regime toppled and it results in a net influx of migration. Lots of Syrian refugees around the world fled their home state and are living in new countries (including here in Australia, where I worked directly on the policy that resulted in Australia's 12,000 additional humanitarian intake of Syrian and Iraqi refugees in 2014/2015).

Lots of them would dearly love to return home to Syria once it's confirmed safe and free to do so.

Problem is even best case scenario they’re looking at a decade before reconstruction can happen and it’ll be deemed safe.
That’s even if it’s not taken over by warlords in the meantime.
Assad going leaves a massive power vacuum, I hope cool heads prevail, but I also hoped that with Gaza, i think we’re only seeing the beginning, my guess is Iraq is next to go up in flames again with IRGC leaving with its tail between its legs.